NEW YORK — Serena Williams dealt with a strong wind much better than Dinara Safina did and won their semifinal 6-3, 6-2 today to get back to the U.S. Open title match for the first time since 2002.

Williams got off to a shaky start, falling behind 2-0, but won seven of the next eight games. Twice she sent shots right at Safina, once causing the Russian to duck out of the way, and once hitting her.

The American will seek her third U.S. Open championship and ninth Grand Slam title overall in the final against Jelena Jankovic, who beat Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva 6-4, 6-4.

The final is scheduled for Saturday night, but forecasts calling for rain much of the day prompted tournament organizers to announce contingency plans that could include postponing the match until Sunday.